Dr. J. Thomas Bigger Lecture Series
This program is provided by the Administrative Core and Evaluation.
Overview
The annual J. Thomas Bigger Lecture, sponsored by the Leahey Foundation, the Department of Medicine, and the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, memorializes J. Thomas Bigger, MD, the late Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Pharmacology at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Bigger's research had an indelible impact on the current practice of cardiology, running the gamut from basic and clinical electrophysiology to major, landmark clinical trials.
Dr. J. Thomas Bigger Jr.
(January 17th, 1935 - October 8th, 2017)
A prominent American cardiologist and a pioneer in the field of heart disease, he is best known for his work in the study of arrhythmias and the development of strategies for managing heart rhythm disorders. His other accomplishments include antiarrhythmic drug mechanisms of action, hazardous drug interactions, risk prediction after acute myocardial infarction (MI), antiarrhythmic drug therapy to prevent death after MI, depression and sudden death, prophylactic use of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator, mechanisms of supraventricular tachycardia, sick sinus syndrome diagnosis and clinical manifestations, and much more.
Dr. Bigger moved to New York, New York and started his career in 1967 until his retirement in 2015 at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons / New York Presbyterian Hospital where he was actively involved in teaching, research, and clinical practices. He served as Chief of Cardiology and Director of the Arrhythmia Service. His groundbreaking work in the study of cardiac arrhythmias contributed tremendously to the field. He was the principal investigator in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) and the CABG Patch Trial which assessed the utility of AICD’s in patients with depressed ventricular function undergoing coronary bypass surgery.
Dr. Bigger's research has significantly contributed to understanding the pathophysiology of ventricular arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death. He also played a role in developing and improving guidelines for the clinical management of arrhythmias and heart failure, impacting the care of thousands of patients worldwide. His contributions to major scientific journals and his participation in national and international conferences solidified his position as an expert in the cardiovascular field.
The Leahey Foundation
In 2016, the J. Thomas Bigger Lecture was created as an extension of the Leahey Lecture series and is co-sponsored by The Leahey Foundation. Dr. Bigger was a close friend of the Leahey family and the first chief of the Division of Cardiology at Columbia. His research had an outsize impact on the current practice of cardiology, running the gamut from basic and clinical electrophysiology advances to major, landmark clinical trials. The Leahey Foundation honors the accomplishments of the Leahey Brothers: Edward B. Leahey, Jr., MD, for his pioneering cardiac research, and his brother Michael I. Leahey, for his vital contributions to the funding and administration of clinical trials.
Eligibility
The J. Thomas Bigger Lectures are open to the Columbia University community.
Cost
There is no cost to attend the J. Thomas Bigger Lecture.
Cite it, Submit it, Share it!
If your research has benefited from one or more Irving Institute resources, please remember to:
- Cite our CTSA grant, UL1 TR001873, in any relevant publications, abstracts, chapters, and/or posters.
- Submit your publications to PubMed Central (PMC) for compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy.
- Share your research updates with us by sending an email to: irving_institute@cumc.columbia.edu
